The Desert Eagle plays a very minor, optional role in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, where it can be purchased from Drebin. Still, the world's most powerful automatic handgun is no stranger to videogames, which I think makes it a good candidate for Weapon Wednesdays.
The Desert Eagle (or D.E. as it is called in Metal Gear Solid) is a large caliber gas-operated semi-automatic pistol. Designed my Magnum Research in the late 70s/early 80s, the weapon was originally manufactured by Israel Military Industries, until Saco Defense took over in 1996. In 2000, Saco was bought up by General Dynamics, so production of the gun went back to IMI. In 2005 they changed their name to Israel Weapon Industries. Today, they continue to be the primary producers of the weapon.
The variant in MGS4 is the .50AE (action express) caliber model, which, along with the .440 Cor-bon model, holds 7 rounds. Also available are the .41 and .44 caliber models, which hold 8 rounds, and the widely known .357, which holds 9.
The .50 caliber model is designed to fire .50 caliber Action Express rounds, which are ideal for hunting. Due to the large caliber, the cartridge is loud, produces a bright flash, and produces substantial recoil. On top of all this, in order to handle such large caliber, the Desert Eagle is both big in size and heavy. Nothing but the best for Solid Snake.
Movie buffs may recall that the .44 Magnum cartridge was favored by Inspector Harry Callahan, otherwise known as Dirty Harry, in the series of films starring Clint Eastwood.
The Desert Eagle's rotating bolt and gas pressure operating mechanism give it more in common with a rifle than with a pistol. The reason for this is that it allows much more powerful cartridges, like those listed above. One of the downsides is that unjacketed lead bullets can damage the gun, as lead particles are sheared off when fired and they could clog the gas release tap, causing the gun to malfuncation.
In conclusion, the Desert Eagle is large in charge, especially when it's in the right hands.
Source: Wikipedia
